Regional Aquatic Facility Feasibility Study

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What's happening?

During 2021-2022, City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation, along with thirteen regional stakeholders, engaged in a Regional Aquatics Feasibility Study. The Regional Aquatic Feasibility Report was completed by our consultants from Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture in late 2021. Upon its completion, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed the study and recommended it move forward to the Olympia City Council. We presented our results to Council during a study session in March 2022, which you can watch a recording of here.

Feasibility studies set the stage for big projects, but in many cases can take several years to implement. Due to the scale of the regional need, and the cost of both initial development and ongoing operations, the possibility of this moving forward is closely tied to developing multiple partnerships and new revenue sources.

In 2023, the City of Olympia and City of Tumwater staff worked closely with the 22nd District State Legislators to successfully approve SB 5001, which allows for the creation of a second Public Facilities District. If pursued, this would require a vote of the people and acceptance of additional sales tax. The PFD approach also requires at least two government agencies coming together.

One challenge within the City of Olympia is that we do not currently have a sustainable operating budget, and that is currently a top priority for 2024. After we resolve our foundational budget problems as a City, the hope would be to resume discussions around an Aquatics Facility in 2025. Progress with these discussions around the needs for aquatic facilities are ongoing and will be contingent on regional partners coming together. 

As a parent of elementary aged children, former captain of the swim team, and former water polo player; I understand the frustration with the lack of swimming facilities and wish the process were faster. We’ll continue to make progress where we can and hope that our vision comes to fruition one day.

Paul Simmons
Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Director

Final Feasibility Study and Council direction

The Regional Aquatics Facility Feasibility Study is complete. On January 22, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) voted unanimously to recommend continuing to next steps in the development of a regional aquatic facility.

At their March 1 Study Session, City Council received a briefing on the feasibility study and provided feedback to continue with next steps.

  • Solidify Partnerships – Solidify commitments from partners.
  • Site Selection - Evaluate a variety of locations based on criteria in the Feasibility Study, select a site and potentially pursue acquisition if it is a site the City does not already own.
  • Funding Strategy - Develop a plan for funding both construction and ongoing operating costs.
  • Governance Agreement – Agree on how partners will work together to manage operations; for example, if the City of Olympia collaborated with the City of Tumwater, who takes on what role for managing staff, finances, etc.

About the project

The City of Olympia hired a consulting team led by Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS), an architectural firm based out of Denver, CO, to complete an aquatic center feasibility study.

Recognizing that the need is greater than Olympia (there are no municipal swimming facilities in Thurston County) the City has partnered with the City of Tumwater and other regional partners to assess the aquatic facility needs. A key stakeholder group, comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions and colleges, school districts, aquatic clubs and interested citizens, was formed to provide input throughout the process.

The community was offered various opportunities to provide feedback on needs and wants specific to aquatics. The study was intended to gain input on a public swimming facility and was not focused on open water, lake, or swim beaches.

On October 28, 2021, the conceptual vision for the Regional Aquatic Facility was presented. The public meeting was hosted over Zoom and recorded. Concept images can be viewed in the gallery to the right. The Feasibility Study report was completed in December 2021.


What's happening?

During 2021-2022, City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation, along with thirteen regional stakeholders, engaged in a Regional Aquatics Feasibility Study. The Regional Aquatic Feasibility Report was completed by our consultants from Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture in late 2021. Upon its completion, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed the study and recommended it move forward to the Olympia City Council. We presented our results to Council during a study session in March 2022, which you can watch a recording of here.

Feasibility studies set the stage for big projects, but in many cases can take several years to implement. Due to the scale of the regional need, and the cost of both initial development and ongoing operations, the possibility of this moving forward is closely tied to developing multiple partnerships and new revenue sources.

In 2023, the City of Olympia and City of Tumwater staff worked closely with the 22nd District State Legislators to successfully approve SB 5001, which allows for the creation of a second Public Facilities District. If pursued, this would require a vote of the people and acceptance of additional sales tax. The PFD approach also requires at least two government agencies coming together.

One challenge within the City of Olympia is that we do not currently have a sustainable operating budget, and that is currently a top priority for 2024. After we resolve our foundational budget problems as a City, the hope would be to resume discussions around an Aquatics Facility in 2025. Progress with these discussions around the needs for aquatic facilities are ongoing and will be contingent on regional partners coming together. 

As a parent of elementary aged children, former captain of the swim team, and former water polo player; I understand the frustration with the lack of swimming facilities and wish the process were faster. We’ll continue to make progress where we can and hope that our vision comes to fruition one day.

Paul Simmons
Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Director

Final Feasibility Study and Council direction

The Regional Aquatics Facility Feasibility Study is complete. On January 22, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) voted unanimously to recommend continuing to next steps in the development of a regional aquatic facility.

At their March 1 Study Session, City Council received a briefing on the feasibility study and provided feedback to continue with next steps.

  • Solidify Partnerships – Solidify commitments from partners.
  • Site Selection - Evaluate a variety of locations based on criteria in the Feasibility Study, select a site and potentially pursue acquisition if it is a site the City does not already own.
  • Funding Strategy - Develop a plan for funding both construction and ongoing operating costs.
  • Governance Agreement – Agree on how partners will work together to manage operations; for example, if the City of Olympia collaborated with the City of Tumwater, who takes on what role for managing staff, finances, etc.

About the project

The City of Olympia hired a consulting team led by Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS), an architectural firm based out of Denver, CO, to complete an aquatic center feasibility study.

Recognizing that the need is greater than Olympia (there are no municipal swimming facilities in Thurston County) the City has partnered with the City of Tumwater and other regional partners to assess the aquatic facility needs. A key stakeholder group, comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions and colleges, school districts, aquatic clubs and interested citizens, was formed to provide input throughout the process.

The community was offered various opportunities to provide feedback on needs and wants specific to aquatics. The study was intended to gain input on a public swimming facility and was not focused on open water, lake, or swim beaches.

On October 28, 2021, the conceptual vision for the Regional Aquatic Facility was presented. The public meeting was hosted over Zoom and recorded. Concept images can be viewed in the gallery to the right. The Feasibility Study report was completed in December 2021.


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Regional Aquatics Facility Survey #2


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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Regional Aquatics Facility Survey #1

    This survey is designed to gather feedback on the needs and wants of the community specific to aquatics. As you respond to the questions, your answers should be focused on you and members of your household. Please limit responses to one per household.

    Survey closed Sunday, Nov. 22.


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Page last updated: 05 Mar 2024, 03:31 PM